For Immediate Release October 9, 2014 | 10:30 Am Pt
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE OCTOBER 9, 2014 | 10:30 AM PT NATIVE VOICES RISE AT THIS YEARS RED NATION FILM FESTIVAL IN BEVERLY HILLS FOCUS ON ROCK LEGENDS, COMEDY AND ART AS ACTIVISM Experience Native Cinema at Red Nation Film Festival, Fest unveils 40+ Film Screenings. Inside the Festival, New Initiatives, 40+ Retrospective, Lifetime Achievement Award, Awards Show. 2 Host Venues: Laemmle Music Hall Theater and The Laugh Factory Red Nation Film Festival – The Authentic Voice of American Indian & Indigenous Cinema is one of the fastest growing native independent Festivals in the country, now in its 11th season and presented by Red Nation Celebration Institute (RNCI), Honest Engine Films, Comcast/NBC Universal. The Festival and Awards Show were created by RNCI as we are at the forefront in vision, creativity, leadership, inspiration and sustainability for American Indian and Indigenous Nations in new media and the arts since 1995 while staying true to our heritage, culture, history and tradition. Red Nation Film Festival (RNFF) screening venue, Laemmle Music Hall Theater in Beverly Hills, the Laemmle family has been RNFF venue since the festival’s inception in 2003. RNFF lineup of native independent films, studio films, Indigenous international films, including native documentaries that generate plenty of awards buzz. This is the festival that screens Academy Award® winning films and Emmy Award® winning films before they were nominated — for the past 7 years. “Frozen River”, “The Garden”, and “Honor the Treaties” were screened at RNFF. In addition, RNFF was the first festival in the world to screen before its premiere and to the general public in partnership with Summit Entertainment “Twilight Saga- New Moon”. This is the festival to experience native cinema. The Festival’s focus this year is on Rock Legends, Comedy, and Art as Activism. Los Angeles is the home to the largest American Indian urban population, home to the entertainment capital of the world and second largest city in the country. RNFF is the first and most prestigious native festival in Los Angeles. The festival will kick off Monday, November 3, 2014 with “Let’s Hear Your FUNNY™” with our festival partner The Laugh Factory and comedian JR Redwater will serve as Master of Ceremony. Throughout the 10 days, the festivals diverse audience, made up of the public, journalists, educators, visiting filmmakers, A-list celebs, and film distribution companies, will experience American Indian Cinema at its best. With a lineup of 39 native films, with many screenings followed by Red Nation Q & A sessions with directors, producers and cast. In addition there will be four Red Nation FilmLab Conversation Series: Social Media and the American Indian, Native Women in Film & Television, Music in Film, and Native Wellness in the Arts. The Festival will open Tuesday, November 4th, with rock legend “The Life, Blood and Rhythm of Randy Castillo”, the story of the late, legendary drummer who played with Ozzy Osborne, Motley Crue, Lita Ford, and other rock and roll icons of the 1980s and 1990s. Director: Wynn Ponder Producers: Wynn Ponder and Michael Bell and Narrated by Lita Ford, the film will feature superstar interviews, concert footage, home movies and behind-the-scenes video of this bigger-than-life musician whose unshakable passion carried him from the wrong side of the tracks to the top of the charts. Interviews: Slash, Lemmy, Zakk Wylde, Lita Ford, Nikki Sixx, Martha Davis, Bill Ward, Vince Neil, Kip Winger, Phil Soussan, Mike Inez, John 5, Billy Sheehan, Bobby Blotzer, Duff McKagan, Matt Sorum, Jerry Cantrell, Carmine Rojas, Tico Torres, Mitch Perry and Stevie Salas. The Festival will close with the Red Nation Awards Show on Wednesday, November 12th, celebrating cinematic achievements in film, television, music, and comedy and on behalf of American Indians in media, social justice, and the arts. Red Nation Awards Show will honor John Trudell with the Oyate Wayanka Po Win – Lifetime Achievement Award. John Trudell is an acclaimed poet, national recording artist, actor and activist whose international following reflects the universal language of his words, work and message. Trudell (Santee Sioux) was a spokesperson for the Indian of All Tribes occupation of Alcatraz Island from 1969 to 1971. He then worked with the American Indian Movement (AIM), serving as Chairman of AIM from 1973 to 1979. In February of 1979, a fire of unknown origin killed Trudell’s wife, three children and mother-in-law. It was through this horrific tragedy that Trudell began to find his voice as an artist and poet, writing, in his words, “to stay connected to this reality.” In addition to his music career, Trudell has played roles in a number of feature films, including a lead role in the Mirimax movie “Thunderheart” and a major part in Sherman Alexie’s “Smoke Signals”. He most recently played Coyote in Hallmark’s made for television movie “Dreamkeeper”. The Festival is all about #leadforward and has become the trustworthy content provider with its groundbreaking initiatives. In 2013, Red Nation Awards Show was broadcast in 19 million homes with our partnership with Comcast | NBC Universal and Red Nation Television Channel – Native is Here, to 10 million viewers in 37 countries, making Red Nation Awards Show, the first American Indian Awards Show broadcast on television and the internet. This year, Red Nation Awards will be televised and aired on November 23, 2014 across the country, marking yet another historic phenomenon, cementing native cinema at the forefront of the industry. This is the entertainment industry’s premiere showcase for native award-winning independent films, studio premieres, and Red Nation FilmLab Conversation Series with native filmmakers. RNFF is Home to the Native Documentary Voice, lending itself to film lovers and enthusiasts, it’s the place to be in the month of November, in celebration of American Indian Heritage Month. A Martinez, Edward James Olmos, Ed Begley Jr., Benicio Del Toro Slash, Lemmy, Zakk Wylde, Lita Ford, Nikki Sixx, Martha Davis, Bill Ward, Vince Neil, Kip Winger, Phil Soussan, Mike Inez, John 5, Billy Sheehan, Bobby Blotzer, Duff McKagan, Matt Sorum, Jerry Cantrell, Carmine Rojas, Tico Torres, Mitch Perry, John Trudell, Zahn McClarnon, Saginaw Grant, Gil Birmingham, Alma Martinez, Saul Davis, Carla Olson, Rosario Dawson, Danny Trejo, Jeremiah Bitsui, Heather Rae, Johnny Sequoyah, and dignitaries, are among the array of stars expected to alight on the Red is Green Carpet Events of the 2014 Red Nation Film Festival & Awards Show. Slates for Retrospective, Red Nation FilmLab Conversation Series, and RNFF New Initiatives were also unveiled today, bringing year’s grand total to 40+ films. Lineup includes documentary features, shorts, two world premieres, 5 international (Canada, Mexico, Alaska, France, Brazil) films, one California premiere, and 28 Los Angeles premieres. Music Legends, ‘Randy Castillo” Lita Ford (The Runaways), Slash (Guns N’Roses, Velvet Revolver), Phil Soussan (Ozzy’s bass player), Mitch Perry (Lita Ford Band), Chris Castillo (Randy Castillo’s sister), Wynn Ponder (Director), Mike Bell (Producer), which is making its world premiere; “Gene Clark The Bird that Flew Alone”, which is making its Los Angeles premiere, Carla Olson (Textones), Saul Davis (Gene Clark’s manager), Kai Clark (Gene Clark’s son) and other celebrity friends will also discuss their careers, their work with these Rock Legends, and current work in the program. Joanelle Romero (RNFF founder/President) will take the Legends stage with these artists. Special Presentations has added the California premiere of “Huicholes: The Last Peyote Guardians,” “LaDonna Harris: Indian 101” (Johnny Depp Production), “Among Ravens,” (Heather Rae Producer), “Cesars Last Fast” (in motion 2015 Oscar Contender), “Full Blooded Hilarious” (JR Redwater), “We Are A Horse Nation.” Retrospective “Best of Fest the First 10 Years,” 7 films will screen, all of which are Red Nation Award winners. “Why the Women in Our Family Don’t Drink Whiskey” (Short/Director: Theda NewBreast); “Yellow Rock” (Feature/Director: Nick Vallelonga), “In the Footsteps of Yellow Woman” (Short/Director: Camille Manybeads Tso), “Cangleska Wakan/The Sacred Hoop” (Documentary Feature/Director: Aitken Pearson), “Trudell” (Documentary Feature/Director: Heather Rae), “American Holocaust: When Its All Over I’ll Still Be Indian” (Short/Director: Joanelle Romero), “Mohawk Midnight Runners” (Short/Director: Zoe Leigh Hopkins). RNFF New Initiatives programs include Native Wellness Institute presents Native Wellness in the Arts, Red Nation Actors/Writers/Directors/Producers ROUNDTABLE, Red Nation Talent Development, Red Nation Emerging Filmmakers Lab, RNFF Mentor Program Directing a Dramatic Series and RNFF Social Change Projects. The Festival’s Cultural Outreach and industry partners include National Association of Latino Independent Producers, Film Independent, PLUS Peer Leaders Uniting Students and Native Wellness Institute. In addition, Red Nation Film Festival and Red Nation Films will have a strong presence at this year’s American Film Market. Red Nation Film Awards (list of categories): Outstanding Actor in the Leading Role, Outstanding Actor in Supporting Role, Outstanding Actress in the Leading Role, Outstanding Actress in the Supporting Role, Best Director, Best Picture, Best Documentary Film, Best Documentary Short, Outstanding Comedian in a One Hour Special/Television Series, Special Legends Music Award and Best Music Video. TELEVISION CATEGORIES: